The Social Womb
Written and narrated by J. Ronald Lally, this 6-minute animation depicts why young brains need continuing nurturance, protection and enrichment once a child is born – a setting where the growing brain can flourish. He describes the development of a “social womb” similar in function to the nurturance a fetus receives while in the womb. Because of the lasting impact of early brain structuring, Lally argues that whether a baby is cared for at home or in child care, the conditions under which the infant’s brain develops must be taken seriously. Lally describes three key policy recommendations needed to support the creation of this social womb – paid leave, home visiting and high quality infant care.
